IPL stars take us behind the scenes
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IPL stars take us behind the scenes of their teams ahead of this years competition.

Fox Sports

16 Apr 2014

Sport/Cricket/News

Shane Watson will lead Rajasthan Royals into battle in this year’s IPL. Source: AFP

FOR Australian audiences, this promises to be the most fascinating edition of the Indian Premier League yet.

A break in the national team’s schedule has freed up many of Australia’s leading players to play in the tournament. And that has allowed the likes of Shane Watson ($2.2 million, reportedly), James Faulkner ($1.7 million) and Mitchell Johnson ($1.1 million) to command huge pay cheques.

The seventh edition of the Indian Premier League will run from Thursday, April 17 to Monday, June 2. The first 20 games have been moved to the United Arab Emirates given security concerns around the Indian federal election.

The Rajasthan Royals are flush with Australian Twenty20 talent. Shane Watson and James Faulkner were not auctioned in 2014, having been retained by the franchise from the previous season. They’ll be joined by Aussies young and old in pursuit of their second IPL title.

James Faulkner has plenty of experience in tight Twenty20 matches.Source: AP

The superstar: For the money the Royals are reportedly paying, it’d better be Watto. Watson was named player of the tournament in the IPL’s debut season in 2008 and has been heavily sought after since. He replaces Rahul Dravid as the Royals captain this season.

The X-Factor: Rajasthan have taken a punt by retaining Faulkner on huge dollars this season rather than allowing him to enter the player draft. His heroics for the Australian limited overs squad are well known. The Royals will be hoping he repeats the dose in the IPL.

The background: Shane Warne’s aura of invincibility was greatly enhanced when he captained Rajasthan to the title in the IPL’s debut season.

George Bailey will barely have time to recover from the Australia’s unsuccessful World Twenty20 tilt as he leads out the Kings XI Punjab. Glenn Maxwell, Australia’s only shining light in Bangladesh, will join him as well as Mitchell Johnson, who attracted the top salary of all Aussie players at this year’s auction.

George Bailey is captain of Kings XI Punjab this year.,Source: News Limited

The superstar: Virender Sehwag may be long in the tooth but, when he gets it right, he’s long in the hit. At a relatively modest $500,00, he was well worth the gamble. Cheteshwar Pujara, the destroyer of Australia in recent Test series, will also make for interest viewing this tournament.

The X-Factor: Super Mitch. He’s been the world’s best-performed pacemen in recent times, albeit predominantly in the five-day format. Kings XI will be hoping he carries his sublime form from recent series against England and South Africa into the IPL this season.

The background: Former NSW all-rounder was the franchise’s first ever CEO. Bollywood actress Preity Zinta is part owner and Brett Lee counts among the franchise’s alumni.

The Sunrisers are bringing the boom to the top of the order. Australian openers Aaron Finch and Dave Warner will form a formidable combination for the Sunrisers. They’ll be joined by compatriot Moises Henriques down the order and coaches Tom Moody and Simon Helmot.

David Warner spent several years at Delhi Daredevils but will play for Hyderabad this year.Source: AP

The superstar: Shikhar Dhawan has terrorised Australia with the bat and the mouth in recent times, the latter directed at the injured Shane Watson during the recent one-day series. He will captain the Sunrisers in 2014 and will provide more firepower to a top order that includes Warner and Finch.

The X-Factor: Dale Steyn wasn’t at his peak during the recent Test series against Australia, but an extended rest period should have him primed to perform at the IPL. He is a member of Hyderabad’s “millionaires club” and was retained in 2014, preventing him from entering the recent player auction.

The background: Made the play-offs in their debut season in 2013. Will benefit from the discipline of the all-Australian coaching duo of Tom Moody and Simon Helmot this season.

The Indians clearly did their Big Bash homework ahead of the IPL draft, picking up BBL player of the tournament Dunk for just $35,700 and bowling metronome Josh Hazlewood for $90,000. Hussey was similarly impressive for the Sydney Thunder, and will collect a tidy $889,000 at this tournament.

Michael Hussey (C) has made the move from Chennai Super Kings to Mumbai Indians.Source: AFP

The superstar: The Indians have bet the farm on Rohit Sharma, parting with $2.25 million on the right-handed batsmen at the 2014 auction. Part of India’s next generation of top-order stars, Sharma will captain the Indians in 2014 and will be guided by official team mentor Sachin Tendulkar.

The X-Factor: Keiron Pollard has pulled the crowds in the Big Bash League and promises to do so again at the IPL. The hard-hitting Pollard, Sharma and Harbhajan Singh were the only Mumbai players to fetch million-plus salaries at the 2014 auction so much will be expected.

The background: The Indians are owned by India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani. Forbes estimate his wealth at $US22.1 billion. He paid $US111.9 million for the franchise in 2008. Presumably, out of the petty cash tin.

The Super Kings were scouring for bargains at the 2014 auction and they found them in the modestly priced Ben Hilfenhaus and John Hastings. Chennai have a long association with Aussie players, including Matt Hayden and Mike Hussey, who played important roles in their back-to-back titles in 2010-11.

Ben Hilfenhaus will hope a good showing in the IPL will put him back in the frame for national selection.Source: News Limited

The superstar: MS Dhoni will earn in excess of $2.6 million at the tournament. But he does so under a significant cloud, as reports of inappropriate dealings surround him and other senior figures in the IPL. In full flight, he remains one of cricket’s most punishing middle-order batsmen.

The X-Factor: The Super Kings spent a combined $3.1 million on batsmen Suresh Raina and Ravi Jadeja at the 2014 auction despite modest international resumes. They’ll be expecting some bang for their back. Internationals Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Bravo could be instrumental, too.

The background: Currently embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal and allegations of auction-rigging. The controversial N Srinivasan is tied to the franchise and the Indian supreme court last month asked for the Super Kings’ licence to be suspended.

Could this be Trevor Bayliss’ final assignment before taking on the England coaching role? Time will tell. KKR are the outsiders according to the bookies this year, although they appear to have picked up a couple of bargains in Chris Lynn and (injury permitting) young paceman Pat Cummins.

Chris Lynn made his debut for Australia over the summer.Source: News Limited

The superstar: Jacques Kallis, arguably the world’s premier all-rounder at age 38, was a relative steal at the IPL auction, selling for $978,000. Windies “mystery spinner” Sunil Narine, who has failed to impress in the BBL, netted an incredible $1.7 million at the 2014 auction. Plenty is expected.

The X-Factor: $2.2 million man Gautam Gambhir will captain the unfancied Knight Riders in 2014. His form at the top of the order will be crucial in determining whether the franchise defies expectations and makes a charge. Robin Uthappa — who netted $887,000 at auction — is also one to watch.

The background: The Knight Riders are not short of Bollywood star power. Acting icons Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla are among the ownership group and command and incredible following in India.

Last season Mitchell Starc ranked No. 2 on Australia’s central contract list. Injuries and the rise of Mitchell Johnson have seen him slip back in Australia’s pecking order in 2013-14. A strong showing at the IPL in 2014 would serve as a timely reminder to selectors ahead of this summer’s series against India.

Mitchell Starc is commanded a hefty fee from Royal Challengers Bangalore.Source: News Limited

The superstar: Yuvraj Singh’s home was belted with rocks after India lost the World Twenty20 final to Sri Lanka this month. He should be able to cover the repairs. The hard-hitting Indian batsman picked up a cool $2.5 million at the 2014 IPL auction and has commanded similar sums in the past.

The X-Factor: Take your pick. Batting superstars AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli will be paid a combined $5.4 million this year. Combined with Yuvraj, they form one of the most formidable batting line-ups ever assembled in any format in world cricket.

The background: Owned by Vijay Mallya who, among other business interests, owns Kingfisher beer. He has been described as the Richard Branson of India. Bangalore have missed the finals the past two seasons but are primed to make a charge in 2014.

Coulter-Nile is the only Aussie flying the flag for the Daredevils this season. A franchise that once boasted the likes of Glenn McGrath, Dave Warner, Dirk Nannes and others has, under the guidance of coach Gary Kirsten, opted for a squad loaded with local Indian players for the 2014 tournament.

Nathan Coulter-Nile is the only Australian on Delhi Daredevils’ books this season.Source: AP

The superstar: The Daredevils splashed the cash at the 2014 IPL auction — but not on Australian players. Much will be expected of Dinesh Karthik given his $2.2 million price tag as well as Murali Vijay, who collected $887,000. Ross Taylor and JP Duminy are among the star imports this season.

The X-Factor: Twenty20 gun-for-hire Kevin Pietersen picked up $1.6 million at the IPL auction. With no international cricket on his immediate horizon, the hard-hitting right-hander can pour his energies into tournaments like the IPL. The short square boundaries of India could be in for a peppering.

The background: Yet to lift the trophy. Much is expected under the coaching of Gary Kirsten this year, with the Daredevils moving away from star imports and spending heavily on homegrown talent in 2014.

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